A molten carbonate fuel battery comprises a stack of molten carbonate fuel cells. A half-cell anode and a half-cell cathode are disposed at the positive and negative ends which are defined by the end cathode and end anode, respectively, of the stack, with respective separators disposed therebetween. The half-cell anode includes an anode electrode and an anode reaction gas flow path, but does not include a matrix, and the half-cell cathode includes a cathode electrode and a cathode reaction gas flow path, but does not include a matrix.