<Page>1

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 3, 2009


                              CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.
                              ---------------------
               (Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Charter)


          Massachusetts                    0-25251              04-3447594
- -------------------------------        ----------------        -------------
  (State Or Other Jurisdiction          (Commission             (IRS Employer
      Of Incorporation)                 File Number)         Identification No.)


         399 Highland Avenue, Somerville, Massachusetts        02144
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Address Of Principal Executive Offices)                   (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 628-4000
                                                           --------------

                                 Not Applicable
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name Or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
    (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

<Page>2

ITEM 2.02   RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
            ---------------------------------------------

      On November 3, 2009, Central Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press
release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended September 30,
2009. A copy of the Company's press release is attached to this Report as
Exhibit 99.1 and is furnished herewith.


ITEM 9.01   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
            ---------------------------------

      (d)   Exhibits

            Number         Description
            ------         -----------

            99.1           Press Release dated November 3, 2009

<Page>3

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                  CENTRAL BANCORP, INC.



Date:  November 5, 2009           By: /s/ Paul S. Feeley
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Paul S. Feeley
                                      Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
                                      Chief Financial Officer