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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 J5n+CTNegGgMD+EvYq/z9fJMFu7qv9NzQXZJDfpVTKaorCmhVUrrR0pLqjw24daP
 KXd5RoiaTLSpbN93iNaNdA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-08-039305.txt : 20080710
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-08-039305.hdr.sgml : 20080710
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080710103606
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-08-039305
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080626
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080710
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080710

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTER BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000712771
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				521273725
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2455 MORRIS AVE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9086889500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2455 MORRIS AVE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHAPIRO RONALD M.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001439412

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11486
		FILM NUMBER:		08946303

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		908-688-9500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 BRANDYWINE COURT
		CITY:			EDISON
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08820
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>v119523_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-06-26</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000712771</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTER BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001439412</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHAPIRO RONALD M.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O UNION CENTER NATIONAL BANK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2455 MORRIS AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>UNION</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07083</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Anthony C. Weagley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-07-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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