Exhibit 23



                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT




The Board of Directors
Central Bancorp, Inc.:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on Form
S-8 (333-71165, 333-87005 and 333-49264) of Central Bancorp, Inc. of our report,
dated May 9,  2001,  relating  to the  consolidated  balance  sheets of  Central
Bancorp,  Inc.  and  subsidiary  as of March 31, 2001 and 2000,  and the related
consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2001, which
report is included herein.




                                                         /s/ KPMG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
June 25, 2001