An electro-chemical fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stacked configuration to form a fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly has opposite first and second ends with a length therebetween. First and second end plates are disposed on the respective first and second ends of the fuel cell assembly. The stack has at least one side plate with opposite first and second ends that are attached to the respective first and second end plates. The side plate holds the first and second end plates in a spaced relation so that the first and second end plates impart a compressive force on the fuel cell assembly. The side plate also encloses the fuel cell assembly between the first and second end plates and provides a protective enclosure for the fuel cell assembly.