Exhibit 23
                         Independent Auditors' Consent

The Board of Directors
Central Bancorp, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (333-71165) of Central Bancorp, Inc. of our report, dated April 26,
2000, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Central Bancorp, Inc. and
subsidiary as of March 31, 2000 and 1999, 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, 2000, which report is
incorporated by reference in the March 31, 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Central Bancorp, Inc.

                                                       /s/ KPMG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
June 27, 2000