Past research examining the relationship between religion (Protestantism, in particular) and working class movements has emphasized religion’s tendency to reinforce social quiescence in industrial society and to hinder organizational attempts to bring about social change. While some historical evidence exists to support such assertions, evidence also suggests that, within specific historical circumstances, religion can act as an oppositional force and provide the context and resources necessary for the development of social movements aimed at transforming existing social arrangements. This study will explore the conditions under which Protestant churches and traditions both inhibited and encouraged collective action in the Eight-Hour Movement by looking at how Protestant churches were utilized by capitalists and workers to further their own interests. Ultimately, the labor movement was successful in achieving its goals to reduce working hours across this time period and, likewise, by 1912, all of the Protestant denominations in the Federal Council of Churches included supporting reduced hours for labor in their social programs. The analysis of the relationships between churches and their traditions and these two opposing factions will provide the context for mapping out the shifting alliances between Chicago’s Protestant churches, employers, workers, and its middle classes over the eight-hour question. The role of Protestantism in capital-labor conflicts will be discussed in order to expand extant social theories of connections between religion and social movements.