UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 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): October 29, 2004

                              CENTER BANCORP, INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


               New Jersey                  2-81353               52-1273725
   ----------------------------    -----------------------  -------------------
   (State or Other Jurisdiction   (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer
          of Incorporation)                                 Identification No.)


                   2455 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey    07083
               ----------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (800) 862-3683

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] 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))




ITEM 2.02.  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

         On October 28, 2004, Center Bancorp, Inc. (the "Registrant") issued a
press release regarding results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2004.
A copy of this press release is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K.

         The information in this report under Item 2.02 is being filed pursuant
to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K, insofar as it discloses historical information
regarding the Registrant's results of operations and financial condition as of,
and for the quarter ended, September 30, 2004. The Registrant intends for such
information, including Exhibit 99.1, to be deemed "filed" for purposes of
Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 9.01.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (c)   Exhibits

         As described above, the following Exhibit is filed as part of this
Current Report on Form 8-K and is to be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section
18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

         Exhibit 99.1 - Press release dated October 28, 2004



                                    SIGNATURE


         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.


                              CENTER BANCORP, INC.

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

Dated:  October 29, 2004