A plurality of memory cells in a cross-point array in which the memory cell stacks in the cross-points include a switch element, a conductive barrier layer, and a memory cell in series, and having sides aligned within the cross-point area of the corresponding cross-point. The memory cells in the stacks include confinement spacers within the cross-point area having outside surfaces on a pair of opposing sides of the stack, and a body of programmable resistance memory material confined between inside surfaces of the spacers.