Catherine[1] Ferguson (c. 1779 – July 11, 1854) was an African-American philanthropist and educator who founded the first Sunday school in New York City.

[4] Catherine was tremblingly apprehensive for her master's family to know that she was in attendance at his church or that she sought to speak to him, however she summoned resolution enough to go.

At about the age of sixteen or seventeen, Isabella Graham purchased Ferguson her freedom for US$200,[2] an amount that she had to repay over a period of six years.

The remaining half was raised by Divie Bethune, Isabella's son-in-law, a New York merchant who was also a member of the same congregation.

Every Sunday, she brought these children to her home on Warren Street, New York, in order to provide them with religious education.

[2] Ferguson gained a degree of prominence during her lifetime because of her charitable work, as evidenced by the attention she received from the press when she died.

[6] In 2023, the Alexander Robertson School in conjunction with the Second Presbyterian Church petitioned to name 95th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue after Catherine Ferguson in honor of her charitable work and lifetime achievements.