A stacked ceramic matrix composite lamellate assembly (10) including shear force bearing structures (48) for resisting relative sliding movement between adjacent lamellae. The shear force bearing structures may take the form of a cross-lamellar stitch (50), a shear pin (62), a warp (90) in the lamellae, a tongue (104) and groove (98) structure, or an inter-lamellar sealing member (112), in various embodiments. Each shear force bearing structure secures a subset of the lamellae, with at least one lamella being common between adjacent subsets in order to secure the entire assembly.