EXHIBIT 23.1





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
Center Bancorp, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements No.
33-72176, No. 333-37436, and No. 333-37434 on Form S-8 and Registration
Statements No. 33-72178 and No. 333-100884 on Form S-3 of Center Bancorp, Inc.
of our report dated January 23 2003, relating to the consolidated  statements of
condition of Center Bancorp,  Inc. and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and
2001 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
December 31, 2002, which report is incorporated by reference in the December 31,
2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Center Bancorp, Inc.

Our report refers to Center  Bancorp  Inc.'s  adoption of Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" on January
1, 2002.




                                            /s/ KPMG LLP



Short Hills, New Jersey
March 28, 2003