A fuel cell device comprising a ceramic support structure having a reaction zone configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and having at least a first active layer in the reaction zone, a ceramic electrolyte layer in the first active layer, a plurality of spaced apart first electrodes (24 or 26) in the first active layer positioned on a first side of the ceramic electrolyte layer, a plurality of spaced apart second electrodes (24 or 26) in the first active layer positioned on a second side of the ceramic electrolyte layer, wherein the first electrodes (24 or 26) are opposite in polarity to the second electrodes (24 or 26), each being selected from anodes and cathodes, and wherein each one of the plurality of spaced apart first electrodes (24 or 26) is in opposing relation to a respective one of the plurality of spaced apart second electrodes (24 or 26) with the ceramic electrolyte layer therebetween, each opposing first and second electrode (24 and 26) forming an active cell whereby a plurality of spaced apart active cells are positioned across the first active layer, and a plurality of conductive elements (56, 148, 152, 154, 156, 158) extending between the plurality of spaced apart active cells, wherein each of the plurality of conductive elements (56, 148, 152, 154, 156, 158) physically contacts the first electrode (24 or 26) of one active cell and physically contacts the second electrode (24 or 26) of the adjacent spaced apart active cell thereby connecting the plurality of active cells in series in the first active layer, wherein the fuel cell device further comprises one or more additional active layers identical to the first active layer, the active layers in spaced relation, and first and second gas passages (14 or 20), characterized in that the conductive elements (56, 148, 152, 154, 156, 158) of each active layer extends through the ceramic electrolyte layer in the space adjacent the active cell; in that each active layer is within the ceramic support structure; in that the one or more additional active layers are stacked upon the first active layer within the ceramic support structure in spaced relation and with alternating polarity; in that a first gas passage (14 or 20) is positioned adjacent each plurality of spaced apart first electrodes (24 or 26) and a second gas passage (14 or 20) is positioned adjacent each plurality of spaced apart second electrodes (24 or 26) thereby providing the spaced relation, the plurality of spaced apart first electrodes (24 or 26) of adjacent active layers being in opposing relation with the first gas passage (14 or 20) shared therebetween, and the plurality of spaced apart second electrodes (24 or 26) of adjacent active layers being in opposing relation with the second gas passage (14 or 20) shared therebetween, and in that the device further comprises a first electrical connector between each of the opposed plurality of spaced apart first electrodes (24 or 26) of adjacent active layers and a second electrical connector between each of the opposed plurality of spaced apart second electrodes (24 or 26) of adjacent active layers thereby connecting the first and additional active layers in parallel.