EXHIBIT 32.1

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Center Bancorp, Inc. (the
"Corporation") on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, John J. Davis, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that:

1.    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13 (a) of the
      Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
      respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Corporation as of
      the dates presented and the consolidated result of operations of the
      Corporation for the periods presented.


Dated: August 19, 2004

                                           /s/: John J.  Davis
                                           --------------------
                                           John J. Davis
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer